Forgive my delinquency, but I've been side lined by a severe respiratory infection for over a week now. Breathing is underrated.

As for the article I spoke of last time, it was a disappointment. First of all, the reporter I was told wanted to interview me didn't even show up. Only the photographer arrived and he had no idea hat was going on or what sort of images were wanted for the article. As My attendant and I were requested to be available at the same time, we staged a few poses of him taking off my shoes. And still, the only thing that was published even remotely related to our issue was an article regarding the attendant union, Service Employees International, and its dealings with Pima Health System. No mention was made of the clients, of course. I have no idea if the reporter or her editor had more to do with the final product. And I have also not heard whether there might be a future article of some sort.


It's another media disaster. As far as I can tell, the media refuses to publish even a small part of the information concerning the clients and the closing of the attendant care program. They continue to show regard for the attendants who may lose jobs or get transferred, but no concern at all for the clients who WILL be affected. It's difficult not to feel invisible.

In other parts, I have been asked to participate with the Pima County Interfaith Council's 2008 Community Summit. It's scheduled for this coming weekend, April 4th and 5th. They are holding several workshops on many different topics, including the attendant care program issue. They've asked me, my attendant Jerry, and several members of the union to attend. Apparently we will have about 90 seconds to speak, so I will have a little something written by than. Wish me luck.

I'll be back here again soon and let you know how it goes.

I was asked Friday afternoon to participate in an interview and photo shoot for the Tucson Daily Star. They are putting together an article about our issue, the Attendant Care Program closure. On Friday, the reporter had interviewed the staff of the Union and a small number of attendants. In asking me, they also wanted my care giver Jerry present. As he is also the Vice President of the union, they hope use the two of us an example of what is at stake. I was nervous but prepared. This morning, only the photographer arrived, along with Carolyn Trowbridge to make sure it all went well. Apparently the reporter felt she did not need my input. Jerry had been questioned at the union on Friday. But we did what we could, putting together a few posed pictures of how he helps me with my daily care. I printed out a copy of my letter, the revised version sent to Alan Shaffer, for the reading pleasure of the reporter. I hope she has read it.

So, Tuesday morning, there will be some sort of article in the Tucson Daily Star. I have no idea how it will turn out but I hope for the best.

Let me know what you think.

Saturday I was invited to a meeting of the Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC). They have been a major player in fighting to stop the Supervisors from dismantling the attendant care program and leaving the clients and care workers in the lurch. They've been in meetings with the supervisors one at a time to discuss the whys, whos and whens of the proposal. So far, as I have been told, 3 of the 5 supervisors are planning to vote against the changes. After all the lies and the misinformation the administrator and his PHS staff have been found to perpetuate, I can only assume the supervisors at least will ensure the county better organizes and prepares for client care.
I like how the PCIC handles the several issues they are intending to support. One of the subjects they mentioned was the coming statewide shortage of care givers in relation to the growing numbers of people in need of personal care services. In relation to the Attendant Care Program concern, it seems to be a small part of the whole issue. The PCIC also discussed immigration policy and employment. It seems not enough people here want to be care givers, is there some way to connect those concerns? As often as we are told people who some to this country are only drains on our systems, we cannot deny the numbers who genuinely come here to work and have a better life. They also discussed the fragile status of a local after school program and the affects possible closures as such affects families who depend on them. One person commented that she does, in fact, know several people who DO use the services of that particular program.
Things are all connected.
So, I digress. The purpose of the PCIC meeting last Saturday was preparation for a seminar they are organizing for the end of this week, to introduce more of their membership to the main points and get more input and plans for reaching their goals.
I understand the County Supervisors are at this time reviewing the collected information and will be making a decision sometime mid April.

Last night was the final of the three hearings discussing the Pima County Attendant Care Program. The turnout was good but not great; perhaps 50 people were there. But this third meeting also reflected more organized, as well as informed, questions and statements from the participants. Once again, it was Robin Gwozdz and Karen Fields to answer questions. More than one speaker stated that we are being humored with the meetings, being unable to shake the feeling the so called proposal has already been initiated. One speaker in particular, a lawyer with a son in the program, asked several pointed questions concerning who, in fact, began all of this, why a system that works is being dismantled, and what the supposed monetary savings might be for the county. Others restated concerns that the quality of care for clients will decline and that the policing of the independent agencies will be more difficult. I am still concerned that attention is being overly focused on the attendants job issues and the real probability that the quality of client care will deteriorate is being deliberately neglected.

And so now the information being collected will be sorted and organized, then passed on to the Supervisors. I understand that by the end of the month, they will be making a decision.

There is still work that can be done. We were given a short contact list, possible ways to make more comments and suggestions. They are as follows:


Phone: Attendant Care program information line 243-8055
Fax: comments may be faced to 243-8453
Email: send comments to attcare@pimahealthsystem.org


Use them all, use them well, use them often. Let the Supervisors know that the decision they are contemplating affects peoples' lives and well being.

Keep an eye here, I will post as much as I can when information is available.